August 30, 2023 Share Feedback on PA Child Care System and Staffing Crisis Start Strong PA is working with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s PolicyLab to conduct a survey of child care directors and owners to gain their perspective on the Pennsylvania child care system including concerns, what is working well, and priorities for improvements. About Survey information will be used to: Identify themes by provider type, geographic region, etc. to inform Start Strong PA’s budget proposals and other future policy and advocacy efforts. Inform the focus of listening sessions for child care providers that we will be hosting in collaboration with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Collect information regarding the impact of the on-going child care staffing crisis. Identifiable information will not be shared with OCDEL. It will only be used by Start Strong PA for any needed clarification with regard to the staffing survey data or for permission to be quoted in an upcoming report on the findings. Ten participants will be randomly selected to receive a $100 gift card! The deadline to participate is September 20, 2023. Take the survey.
August 29, 2023 August Recalls on Children’s Products Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls. Learn More Here is a list of August recalls collected from the following major federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ecnup recalled Multi-Purpose Kids Bike Helmets due to risk of head injury and failure to meet Bicycle Helmet Standard Requirements. The Simplay3 Company recalled Toddler Towers due to fall and injury hazards. Zipadee Kids recalled Convertible House Bed Frames and Montessori Floor Beds due to entrapment and strangulation hazards. Restwell Mattress recalled Room & Board Crib Mattresses due to suffocation hazard for infants and failure to comply with Federal Safety Standard for Crib Mattresses. The Children’s Place recalled two styles of baby and toddler boy Basic Stretch Straight Leg Jeans due to choking hazard. Philips Avent digital video baby monitors recalled due to burn hazard. Soft Play recalled Sky Wheels due to fall hazard and risk of injury to children. More Information For recall details, visit the links above or review the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration websites.
August 28, 2023 Too Small To Fail Seeks Caregivers for Family Advisory Council Too Small to Fail (TSTF), the early childhood education initiative of the Clinton Foundation, is currently accepting applications for parents and caregivers to join its second Family Advisory Council. About TSTF promotes early brain and language development by supporting parents and caregivers with tools to talk, read, and sing with their young children starting at birth. The goal of the Family Advisory Council is to strengthen the organization’s initiatives, content, and resources to better reflect the voices and needs of parents and caregivers. Roles & Responsibilities Chosen council members will be required to: Over a twelve-month period, beginning in November 2023 and concluding in October 2024, participate in six virtual meetings with the full Family Advisory Council. Meetings will run approximately 60 minutes long and will take place every other month. Provide additional input between meetings over phone or email, as needed. Eligibility Requirements Be at least 18 years old. Be located within the United States. Be a primary caregiver of one or more children younger than five. Be available to serve throughout the twelve-month term. Have access to reliable Internet to connect to Zoom meetings and respond to emails. Each member of the Family Advisory Council will receive a $1,000 honorarium, contingent on the member’s fulfillment of their responsibilities. A $150 stipend for certain necessary costs, such as childcare or access to the Internet is available. Apply Application details are available on the TSTF website. Applications are due by Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
Resources for September Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for September observances: Month-Long Observances Attendance Awareness Month Attendance Awareness Campaign 2023, Attendance Works Key Research: Why Attendance Matters for Achievement and How Interventions Can Help, Attendance Works Baby Safety Month (BSM) Organizations Publish New Child Safety and Development Resources for Families and Educators, Trying Together Safety and Emergencies: Family Resources, Trying Together Directory for Emergency and Safety Services, Trying Together Recalls on Children’s Products, Trying Together Baby Safety Month Safety Tips, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) 5 Tips for New Parents During Baby Safety Month, SafeKids.org Childhood Cancer Awareness Month What is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Free Resources from the American Childhood Cancer Organization, American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) Are There Disparities in Childhood Cancer?, New York State Department of Health Childhood Cancers, NIH National Cancer Institute Facts About Childhood Cancer, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Participate in a 2023 September Childhood Cancer Awareness Event, Children’s Cancer Cause National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families: The Importance of Exercise, Trying Together Parents and Caregivers Can Help Prevent Obesity and Support Healthy Growth, U.S. Department of Agriculture TOOLKIT: National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Preventing Childhood Obesity: 4 Things Families Can Do, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Help Your Child Stay at a Healthy Weight, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Newborn Screening Awareness Month Newborn Screening Portal, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) What is Newborn Screening?, Baby’s First Test Newborn Screening Tests for Your Baby, March of Dimes (MoD) About Newborn Screening, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Weeks of Recognition September 17 – 23 was Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week Car Seat Safety for Children, Trying Together Car Seats and Booster Seats Overview, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safe Kids Worldwide Car Seat Guide Videos, Safe Kids Worldwide Boost Your Child Passenger Safety Knowledge and Skills Trainings, National Child Passenger Safety Board All Children are Pedestrians! Prevention Tips and Recent Statistics, Children’s Safety Network at Education Development Center Days of Recognition September 6 was National Read a Book Day Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List, Trying Together Toolkit: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success, Trying Together Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together Books to Celebrate Gender Expression, Inclusion, and Pride, Trying Together Children’s Books About Transitions, Trying Together Children’s Books About Mental Health, Trying Together September 26 was National Family Day Family Engagement Toolkit, Trying Together Family Guide: Family Dynamics, Trying Together Strategies to Support Social-Emotional Development: A Guide for Families, Trying Together Family Transitions and Routines: Resources, Trying Together Trying Together Releases Family Resources in Spanish, Trying Together Grandfamily Tip Sheets Provide Information on Self-Care and Youth Mental Health, Trying Together Navigating Sibling Relationships, Psychology Today Foster and Adoptive Families: Supportive Strategies, PennState Better Kid Care Blended Family and Step-Parenting Tips, HelpGuide.org Keeping in Touch With Family Can Help Keep You Healthy, WebMD.com Healthy Communication in Stepfamilies, National Stepfamily Resource Center (NRSC) Get to Know Your Stepkids, National Stepfamily Resource Center (NRSC)
August 22, 2023 Free Breakfast Offered for the 2023-24 School Year Children in Pennsylvania schools can eat breakfast for free this school year. The 2023-24 state budget includes a $46.5 million increase to provide universal free breakfast to Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million public school students. Every public school student will be eligible to receive free breakfast regardless of income. The funding also provides free lunch to all 22,000 Pennsylvania students who are eligible for reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program. “As I’ve traveled Pennsylvania over the past few years, one thing I heard over and over again is about how many kids come to school hungry. Every expert will tell you that you can’t learn on an empty stomach – and we cannot expect kids to learn math and science and English when they haven’t eaten anything all day,” said Governor Josh Shapiro in a news release. Check with your child’s school to learn more about their food service program and offerings for school breakfast.
August 21, 2023 Apply: Child Care Indoor Air Quality Improvement Pilot Allegheny County’s Department of Children Initiatives (DCI) and the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) are piloting a program to improve the indoor air quality of regulated child care programs. About The program aims to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and other common respiratory infection viruses. The pilot seeks to understand if these reductions can reduce the frequency and severity of asthma flares in children and improve children’s program attendance rates. Child care programs will receive expert support in identifying the appropriate measures to improve indoor air quality. Costs for necessary modifications and equipment will be covered. There will be no costs to child care programs selected to participate. Submit an application to participate. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Spots are limited.
Free Instructor’s Guide for Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves Educators teaching with “Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves” can access a free instructor’s guide to accompany the book. Learn More For use in courses and trainings with preservice and in-service teachers, the instructor’s guide provides chapter-by-chapter support for teaching “Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves” —and support for exploring your own anti-bias journey. It includes key concepts, class prep activities, teaching strategies, assignments, suggested exam questions, and tips for navigating content. To download the free instructor’s guide, visit the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) website.
August 14, 2023 Social Policy Study Reveals Vital Role of SNAP for Children and Families A recent report from the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) has provided new insight on the critical role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the health and well-being of children and families. About the Report Entitled, “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): A Vital Resource for Children, Youth, and Families,” the report combined data from existing research with insights from interviews between CSSP staff and SNAP-assisted families to build a complete picture of SNAP’s impact. Key Findings Key findings from the report show: In 2021, SNAP reached 41.5 million people in an average month. SNAP plays a critical role fighting hunger and malnutrition, and promoting economic wellbeing. For families, SNAP can help lift some of the weight off parents and caregivers as they struggle to feed growing children. For youth and young adults, SNAP provides some security and stability as they transition to adulthood and pursue their goals. This support is especially critical for young people who age out of foster care and are disproportionately likely to struggle to afford food, as they often lose access to social services and economic supports when they leave foster care. SNAP can be a critical resource for young people, helping them buy food and meet their needs as they set out on their own, further their education, embark on their careers, and form their own families. CSSP Policy Recommendations Though SNAP provides an enormous, essential benefit to families and youth, CSSP shared in the report that SNAP can do more to help people meet their needs and pursue their goals, offering a number recommendations. They encourage policymakers to: increase benefit levels, repeal the three-month time limit for adults, restore access to immigrant families, and lift the ban on hot food. Learn More To learn more, read the full report or visit the CSSP website. Source Information for this post was taken directly from the CSSP SNAP report. Some text may have been added, paraphrased, or adapted for readability and comprehension. Related Content & Resources 2023 Food Resources Allegheny County Family Resource Map Highlights Supports for Locals Housing Resources Available for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families ELRC Region 5 Now an Infant Formula Bank Updated: Summer Food Programs Offer Free Meals to Children OCDEL Invites Families to Participate in Free Professional Photo Session Clothing Distribution at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center LDA of PA Offering Free Reading Tutoring to Children in Hill District
August 12, 2023 Report: State of Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, in collaboration with Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA, released the State of Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania. About Pennsylvania’s comprehensive early care and education system spans a child’s formative years, from birth to age five. This report looks deeper at Pennsylvania’s child care and pre-k system complexities and recommends the improvements necessary to ensure the system functions equitably and increases access and affordability for all families in the commonwealth. Key findings include: 68% of young children in Pennsylvania have all available caregivers in the workforce and require external care arrangements. On average, costs for infant child care comprise approximately 17.5% of the Pennsylvania median family income. In Pennsylvania, the average hourly wage of a child care worker is less than $12.50/hour, which is less than $26,000 annually. Only 46% of all child care capacity in Pennsylvania meets high-quality standards, and only 35% of providers serving children under 5 in subsidized child care have achieved high-quality. Only 43% of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds in the state participate in high-quality, publicly funded pre-k, leaving over 87,000 without access to a high-quality program. Only 23% of all children served in Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Programs in Pennsylvania are Non-Hispanic Black, compared to 41% of children identifying as Non-Hispanic White. Policy recommendations in the report include: Increase state funding for the child care sector to help build an infrastructure that will support providers to cover the true cost of providing high-quality care. Implement a wage scale for the child care workforce to diminish teacher turnover and stabilize the sector. Increase state pre-k investments in Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Programs to expand access to more 3- and 4-year-olds. Develop a pay parity policy for pre-k teachers that reflects wages provided to teachers in the K-12 system with equivalent degrees and credentials. Require the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to produce a report every three years that provides a clear picture of the early childhood workforce, using state- and county-level data, and include recommendations on how Pennsylvania can better support the early childhood profession. Expand the number of high-quality providers by increasing incentives within Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System, Keystone STARS. Conduct an equity audit of Pennsylvania’s early care and education system to understand better changes needed to ensure equitable access for all children. Cease market rate surveys and conduct cost estimation studies using an approved cost modeling tool to determine the true cost of care. Read the full report on the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children website.
August 11, 2023 Recover Stolen SNAP Benefits Pennsylvania residents who have had Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stolen through a scam or card skimming sometime since October 1, 2022, can now file to have food stamps replaced. According to Just Harvest, millions of dollars worth of SNAP recipients’ benefits across the nation have been stolen through card skimming machines, scam text messages, or other phishing schemes. In December 2022, Congress passed legislation allowing stated to replace benefits that: were stolen through phishing, skimming or other scams AND were stolen between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2024. Report and Recover Stolen Benefits Report the stolen benefits to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services by one of the following methods: filling out this form online filling out this form and uploading it to your case through COMPASS, the My COMPASS PA app, or by sending it to your County Assistance Office calling your County Assistance Office calling the Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930 or 215-560-7226 in Philadelphia; they can mail you the form to complete The deadline to claim benefits that were stolen between October 1, 2022 and July 12, 2023 is September 10, 2023. If your benefits were stolen after July 12, 2023, you have 60 calendar days from the date of the first theft to report the theft to the Department of Human Services. Once a report is made, the claim form must be filed within 30 days. More Information More details about the claim process and how to protect SNAP benefits can be found on the Just Harvest site.
